Keurig Launches Eco-Friendly Coffee Maker with Plastic-Free Pucks

Keurig has unveiled its latest single-serve coffee machine, designed to offer the same ease of use that made its products a household name, but this time without the environmental impact of traditional plastic and aluminum pods. The Keurig Alta, first introduced two years ago, utilizes innovative puck-shaped pod replacements known as AltaRounds, which are made from pressed coffee grounds encased in a plant-based coating sourced from seaweed. These pucks are fully compostable, and while they currently come in plastic wrappers for freshness, the company is transitioning to paper wrappers.

The Keurig Alta is now available for preorder at $499.99, with shipping set to begin on October 21st. Buyers can choose from color options like graphite, sandstone, and a sandstone variant with a “satin stainless” gray finish. The Alta is sold exclusively as part of a bundle that includes a selection of glassware and six boxes of AltaRounds. At launch, there will be six caffeinated varieties of AltaRounds, featuring light roast, medium roast, and flavored options.

The Alta stands out as one of Keurig’s pricier consumer machines, as it not only brews coffee but also functions as an espresso maker. It achieves this by pushing hot water through the AltaRounds at high pressure after puncturing the puck with a series of spikes, finishing off drinks with milk foam created by a built-in frother.

Despite its advanced features, the Alta is designed for simplicity, mirroring the user-friendly nature of previous Keurig models. There’s no need for a grinder or even knowledge of tamping. Each AltaRound is equipped with a QR code that the machine reads to provide specific brewing instructions, including the required pressure and temperature. While manual adjustments aren’t necessary, the Alta boasts a large touchscreen display for selecting various drink recipes. Additionally, the machine is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing it to receive updates for new AltaRound varieties and recipes as they become available.